Robinson Cano's toughness on display for Yankees again

Joe Nicholson/US PresswireRobinson Cano started at second base against Toronto after taking a pitch off the side of his foot Wednesday.

TORONTO — The Yankees' Robinson Cano started at second base today against the Toronto Blue Jays, which was his goal after taking a pitch off the side of his right foot on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.

“That’s one thing I don’t think people talk enough about is Robbie’s toughness,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We’ve seen him hit plenty of times where we thought he wouldn’t play the next day or even stay in the game, and he does.”

In three of the last four years, Cano has played in 160 games, just barely missing out in 2008 when he played in 159.

Cano’s night got off to a bad start. In the first inning, he made a throw wide of first base, allowing the Blue Jays to score a run because the Yankees failed to complete a double play.

In the second, Cano singled down the right-field line but was thrown out at second base when he tried to stretch the hit into a double.

The Yankees may not get backup catcher Francisco Cervelli back for the rest of the season. At least, Girardi said the Yankees must prepare that way, given the unpredictable nature of concussions.

Cervelli is still suffering from concussion symptoms more than a week after he was involved in a collision at home plate on Sept. 7. In the meantime, Girardi anticipates that Russell Martin will catch every game if the Yankees make the playoffs.

But Girardi wants Martin to get an occasional break down the stretch. Rookies Austin Romine and Jesus Montero will likely get most of the catching chances. Jorge Posada is considered an emergency option.

“You want them as familiar with your pitching staff as possible in case something were to happen,” Girardi said.

The Yankees haven’t decided how their starting rotation will line up after Monday, when Phil Hughes is slated to pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Girardi said right-hander A.J. Burnett will pitch during this week’s four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays, though he doesn’t know when.

“We haven’t quite made the rotation or Tampa yet, how we’re going to do it,” Girardi said. “But somewhere in that series. I just don’t know exactly how we’re going to do it yet.”

Late Yankees legend Bobby Murcer will be honored by Oklahoma Christian University. On Sept. 23, the university will officially dedicate the Bobby Murcer Indoor Training Facility, which will house the school’s baseball program. Murcer, a beloved player and broadcaster with the Yankees, was a native of Oklahoma City.